M1 13” MacBook Pro Webcam Flickering

Hi guys! I just got the new M1 MacBook Pro and realised my webcam doesn’t stop flickering. I tried Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Photobooth.. I updated the MacOS and restarted it and it didn’t change. I’m a bit worried because I got a lot of video meetings on my daily basis and even though I see others perfectly fine, they see me in a constant flickering image. Has anyone else had the same problem? Or still has? Any ideas on what might work? Thank you so much in advance!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Nov 21, 2020 1:23 PM

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Posted on Dec 29, 2020 4:55 AM

Workaround:


  • install OBS (https://obsproject.com/download)
  • create virtual camera (Sources - Add - Video Capture Device, choose your webcam)
  • untick "use preset" and adjust fps on that virtual camera from default to another level, use appropriate fps when you see no flicker on the video (for me it was ok to change to 25 fps)
  • start virtual camera
  • you can now minimize the OBS window


As a result, when OBS application is active it changes fps setting on your webcam. So, simply use your regular webcam in Zoom - NO FLICKERING. In Zoom (or another app) in preferences you can choose either physical webcam or virtual one, all will be flicker-free.

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113 replies

Feb 24, 2021 12:39 AM in response to Peter Luit1

Software or hardware, regardless of which it is... the prior 2014 MacBook Air model had no issues with the lights and given I’ve not changed the lights or positioning of my desk, so what else do you propose this is? I’m genuinely interested?

The big sur update has minimised the flickering so I guess we can all rest easy.

For the price of the machine, it should not have had this volume of complaints before an update was finally made. Put simply, an adjustment offering to the refresh rate would have helped also but have come to terms that there is an air of arrogance with Apple developers to simply coast by with their previous quality status.

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M1 13” MacBook Pro Webcam Flickering

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